New Delhi, 19th February 2025 – The Asian Academy of Film & Television (AAFT) paid homage to the esteemed writer, scholar, and Padma Shri awardee Dr. Shyam Singh Shashi, who passed away on this day. A prolific author of over 500 books, Dr. Shashi was a stalwart in literature and academia, serving as the Chancellor of the International Roma Cultural University, Serbia, and an integral member of the AAFT board for many years.
Speaking at the condolence meet organized by Antar-Rashtriya Sahayog Parishad at Pravasi Bhawan, New Delhi, Dr. Sandeep Marwah, Chancellor of AAFT University, fondly recalled his association with Dr. Shashi. “He was an institution in himself. My first Honorary Doctorate was presented by him in a grand function. His contributions to literature and education are immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations.”
Dr. Shashi’s literary and academic contributions were vast. He was a visiting professor at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and the President of the International Academy of Children’s Literature. His work extended to leading roles such as Chairman of the International Institute of Nomadic Studies and Director of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s Publication Division. Furthermore, he served as the honorary editor of the Collected Works of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a monumental publication translated into eight Indian languages by the Government of India.
AAFT and the literary fraternity mourn the loss of this visionary scholar, whose work continues to shape India’s cultural and literary landscape.